Bradley

Takes Oath

In Boynton

Baptism In Politics

Came On School Panel

BOYNTON BEACH — When Matt Bradley faced a group of 50 residents opposed to closing Poinciana Elementary School four years ago, the confrontation became his defining moment as a public figure.

"I guess I didn't know it at the time, but that was my first experience as a politician," said Bradley, 40, who was sworn in as the city's newest commissioner on Tuesday night.

As chairman of the city's education committee, Bradley was pulled in two directions.

Some community leaders urged him to support the School Board's plan to close Poinciana because the closing would help land the city a new high school.

Bradley, however, took the opposite view and let the residents decide. As it turned out, the city got to keep Poinciana and got the high school anyway.

"Enough people got inspired, and we kicked butt on that one," he said.

Last week, Bradley won another stunning victory. He beat Bruce A. Tufts by a 5-to-1 margin to win a seat on the City Commission. Bradley, who is married, has lived in Boynton Beach since 1990.

Although he is a newcomer to commission politics, Bradley is not a stranger to civic causes. He put his experiences with the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Boynton Beach Educational Advisory Board to good use.

The issues surrounding Poinciana Elementary School reinforced Bradley's belief in concepts he has found useful as a family and marriage therapist and hopefully as a new member of the City Commission: the value of listening and the idea that a problem can best be solved when people feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for dealing with it.

Those who know Matt Bradley say his ability to listen and empathize is at the heart of his ability to inspire confidence and to lead.

"He's a very gentle, patient person, a very good listener," said Cathy Ehrschwender, 37, one of Bradley's three sisters.

Longtime friends remember Bradley as a "natural leader."

"He made it possible for different groups in our high school to get together," said Tim McKee, 40, of Miami Beach, who was on the swim team with "Chip" Bradley at North Miami Senior High School and later attended the University of Florida with him.

"Groups that had nothing in common had Chip in common," said McKee, who was also impressed with Bradley's ability to keep his head.

Cal Cearley, president of Prime Bank and the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce, is a man who has worked closely with Bradley on the chamber's board and thinks of him as a "peacemaker."